moonlight

1 of 2

noun

moon·​light ˈmün-ˌlīt 

: the light of the moon

moonlight

2 of 2

verb

moonlighted; moonlighting

intransitive verb

: to hold a second job in addition to a regular one

moonlighter noun

Examples of moonlight in a Sentence

Noun

A figure appeared in the moonlight.

Verb

She is a secretary who moonlights as a waitress on weekends.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

From the North Face to the South Face, from the sunlight to the moonlight, from a seed to a tree! —Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025

With a new moon earlier this week, the pre-dawn and post-sunset hours are free from strong moonlight. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Verb

The California Michelin Guide was revealed on Wednesday night in Sacramento, with the tire company that moonlights as a gastronome bible handing out stars to restaurants up and down the Golden State. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 26 June 2025

Luke has to drop his gecko off at Kyle Chan’s because, of course, the jeweler to the (reality) stars also moonlights as a reptile babysitter. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from moonlighter

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1957, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing moonlight

• do a moonlight flit

Rhymes for moonlight

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

moonlight

1 of 2 noun

moon·​light -ˌlīt 

: the light of the moon

moonlight

2 of 2 verb

: to work at a second job in addition to a regular one

moonlighter noun